'Walk and Talk' event joined by women's group

A women’s group joined our officers for a walk and talk event in Birmingham city centre to discuss women’s safety.

Our force lead for Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) was joined by Birmingham city centre officers, licensing officers, and Safer Travel officers for a walk though Birmingham city centre with women’s group, The Girls Club Birmingham.

The group organises social events for women to meet in a safe space in Birmingham while making friends.

The walk started at Rosies on Broad Street, where we discussed concerns around spiking, women’s safety whilst on a night out and how Rosies keeps its customers safe.

The club offers anti-spiking covers for drinks, and managers are specifically placed around the venue to look out for any concerns. There is also a dedicated safe space for people where trained staff can assist with security, administer any first aid and discuss safety issues.

During our walk we stopped by Centenary Square Library Metro Stop to discuss women’s safety on public transport. We are encouraging greater reporting of behaviours that women and girls usually normalise or minimise but affect the way they travel. 

The Safer Travel Partnership has launched a set of three short safety films “What Could I Do?” to educate public transport users about awareness, upstanding and action.

You can watch the videos here: What Could I Do?

Paula Shortland, Safer Travel Education Officer, said: “We are actively encouraging women and girls to report behaviours that can sometimes be dismissed any unwanted behaviour, and we are committed to ensuring they feel heard and supported.  These behaviours impact how women and girls travel on our network.

“If you don’t feel safe on public transport you can use one of the help points that are linked to a 24-hour control room or text SeeSay to 81018 for non-emergencies.”

We also stopped by a hotel in the New Street area to discuss our roll out of the Ask for Angela initiative in hotels in the city centre before visiting the Southside Safe Space in the Arcadian.

Susan Mabbett, VAWG lead for West Midlands Police said: “It was really beneficial to have open discussions with The Girls Club Birmingham about how women’s safety can be improved. We also highlighted the help and support that is available in the city centre.

“We know that women and girls are concerned about their safety, and we want to reassure you that we are working hard to make the streets safer.

“We are in the process of rolling out the Ask for Angela initiative to hotels across the city centre. The initiative is already firmly installed in many of our bars and clubs. There are also many safe spaces across the city such as Southside Safe Space where anyone can go to for help on a night out.

“The walk is just one example of our engagement work we are doing to listen and understand your concerns around women’s safety.”

Here’s some advice to stay safe when out and about: Staying Safe – crime prevention advice for when you are out and about | West Midlands Police